Create a House Number- Data Outcomes

This lesson focuses on forming 3-digit house numbers to meet specific requirements.  Using the problem-solving strategies of looking for patterns and establishing an organized list will aid students in finding all the possible solution sets. Teachers can use this lesson in a variety of ways to differentiate lessons and activities. Teachers can ask pointed questions such as "Is "???" a likely or unlikely outcome?". There are suggested extension activities.

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Learning Objectives:

Students will:

  • Experiment with numbers to find all possible ways to add three different digits to obtain a given sum (6).
  • Explore the ways three digits can be placed together to form different three-digit numbers.

NCTM Standards and Expectations:

  • Develop a sense of whole numbers and represent and use them in flexible ways, including relating, composing, and decomposing numbers.
  • Sort and classify objects according to their attributes and organize data about the objects.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Extension suggestions: 

Extensions: 

  • How many house numbers can be formed if the problem is the same except that the three digits need not be different?
  • Seven more house numbers can be formed: 600, 114, 141, 411, 222, 303, 330.
  • How many house numbers can be formed if the problem is the same except that the sum of the digits is 7?
  • Eighteen house numbers can be formed if the digits are different; twenty-eight can be formed if the digits can be the same.

Helpful Hints

Materials:

  • Create a House Number Activity Sheet 
  • Numeral Cards 
  • Scissors

References

Contributors: 
Citations: 

Marcy Cook. "IDEAS: Possible Solution Sets" The Arithmetic Teacher Vol.36, No.5 (January, 1989) pp. 19 -24